Heat actuated puncturing mechanism for a compressed gas cartridge

ABSTRACT

The present invention offers a solution to the potential hazards associate with an accidental overbearing of a full compressed gas cartridge, by offering an automatic heat-actuable pressure discharge system.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application is a Divisional Application claiming priority from aU.S. Utility Application having Ser. No. 11/344,322 filed Feb. 1, 2006.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not applicable.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of portable compressed gascartridge dispensers comprising heat-actuable pressure relief systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, a compressed gas cartridge will be referred as a cgc.

Many people use compressed gas dispensers daily in a variety ofapplications such as medical, commercial and domestic. Common uses ofsuch a dispenser are for use in the medical industry. Exemplary medicalindustry devices include: pneumatic inflation, cryogenic-relateddevices, pneumatic staple devices and dry powder and wet inhalers.

Good hospital hygiene practices frequently include incineration of useddisposable medical devices in order to minimize the hazards ofinfectious waste. CGC's, particularly those filled with compressedcarbon dioxide or nitrous oxide retain in the range of 700 to 900 psi,depending on room temperature. Introduced heat quickly raises cgcpressure. For example, raising a cgc of carbon dioxide to 140 degreesFahrenheit increases the cgc pressure to about 3400 psi while a cgc ofcarbon dioxide at 160 degrees Fahrenheit yields about 4200 psi. Thesetemperatures/pressures exceed cartridge manufacture's specified safetemperature range and have now become a dangerous pressure vesselwaiting to violently explode. Typically, a steel cgc will not graduallyrelease high pressure because the cartridge sealing cap is welded intoplace to form an all metal sealed pressure vessel. Instead, the suddenrelease of pressure upon explosion causes the cgc to become aprojectile, randomly sending shrapnel into the air, and creatingdangerously high decibel noise, capable of permanently damaging one'sears.

Some incinerators are armored to protect personnel and equipment shoulda full cgc accidentally be added to the furnace. Incineratortemperatures can quickly bring a cgc temperature up to dangerous levelsin minimal time, perhaps within seconds of introduction to the heat.

There are many commercial and domestic uses of cgc's and a few exemplaryapplications include: tire inflation, portable pneumatic toolapplications, actuators—by heat, manual, electronic, and other methods,air guns, life preserver inflation, aircraft redundant pneumaticsystems, and more.

Some of these applications are potentially subjected to intense heatthat could result in dangerous explosion of a cgc thus causing userinjury and property damage. For example, a cyclist may leave a cgcdispenser in a car on a hot day with the windows rolled up. CGC's can,and do, occasionally rapidly explode in a hot vehicle which is overall,an undesirable event. A portable pneumatic tool may be left out in thesunlight for a period of time. The intense heat buildup can cause a cgcto reach dangerous temperatures.

In summary, there has been a long felt need for a safety feature thatprevents a cgc from reaching dangerously high pressures should a cgc besubjected to high heat while installed in a dispenser head.

Two distinct types of cgc's are currently common—threaded neck portionand non-threaded neck portion. Many current art compressed gasdispensers, particularly the models manufactured by Genuine Innovations,Inc. in Tucson, Ariz. U.S.A. are manufactured to dispense a non-threadedneck compressed gas cartridge, dispense a threaded neck compressed gascartridge, or capable of dispensing both species within the samedispenser.

One feature of current art compressed gas dispensers is a lance housingthat has been used in part to contain the high pressure from acompressed gas cartridge. Historically, lance housings have beenmanufactured from metal such as brass. A lance housing also provides anexcellent recess or pocket for a seal that is used to contain thecompressed gas in a lanced cartridge and studying the prior-artexemplifies many methods of virtually accomplishing the same sealingresult. A lance housing can feature internal threads that are used tomate with a compressed gas cartridge also exhibiting a threaded neckportion and a lance housing sometimes exhibits no threads to mate with acompressed gas cartridge and can accept only non-threaded varieties.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,843,388 by Hollars titled Compressed gas cartridgedispensing system allowing interchangeable use of different capacitycompressed gas cartridges and novel storage feature teaches some methodsof how a non-threaded neck compressed gas cartridge can be dispensed aswell as teaches an additional method of how a threaded neck compressedgas cartridge can be dispensed. Additionally, the terminology from the6,843,388 patent is carried over into this application in an effort tomaintain consistency for each of understanding.

The preferred embodiment and alternative embodiments will be exemplifiedin the following paragraphs and in the FIGS. The following embodimentswill describe the afore-mentioned prior-art and the present invention.Additionally, with the aid of figures, one skilled in the art will beable to understand and appreciate the scope of the exemplary embodimentsto follow.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

Accordingly, several objects and advantages of the present inventionwill be presented in the following paragraphs followed by a thoroughdisclosure of each aspect in the accompanying embodiments in theDETAILED DESCRIPTION.

In light of the above-mentioned problems, it is therefore an object ofthe present invention to provide a simple method of manufacturing acompressed gas dispenser featuring a reliable heat-actuable pressuredischarge feature.

Additionally, another object of the present invention is to provide acgc dispenser having means for a flame-actuable pressure dischargefeature.

It is another object of the present invention to utilize as little metalas possible in a lance housing and incorporate as many features andcomponents as possible out of injection moldings, particularly foraffordable manufacturing reasons and reduced components.

Further objects and advantages will become apparent in the followingparagraphs. Solely and in combination, the above objects and advantageswill be illustrated in the exemplary figures and accompanyingembodiments to follow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures are exemplary of different embodiments of the presentinvention. Each illustration conveys the invention and is not to beconsidered as limiting, rather, exemplary to the scope and spirit of thepresent invention. Like components in the figures share identicalnumbering.

FIG. 1A illustrates a partial cross-section view of part of an exemplarycompressed gas cartridge dispenser comprising a heat and/or flameactuable pressure discharge puncturer in a first position, in accordancewith an embodiment of the current invention;

FIG. 1B illustrates a partial cross-section view of part of an exemplarycompressed gas cartridge dispense comprising a heat and/or flameactuable pressure discharge puncturer in a second position, inaccordance with an embodiment of the current invention;

FIG. 1C illustrates a partial cross-section view of part of an exemplarycompressed gas cartridge dispenser comprising a heat and/or flameactuable pressure discharge puncturer in a third position, in accordancewith an embodiment of the current invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a partial cross-section view of part of an exemplarycompressed gas cartridge dispenser comprising a heat expandable pressuredischarge puncturer, in accordance with an embodiment of the currentinvention;

FIG. 3A illustrates a partial cross-section view of part of an exemplarycompressed gas cartridge dispenser comprising a heat expandable pressuredischarge puncturer in a first position, in accordance with anembodiment of the current invention;

FIG. 3B illustrates a partial cross-section view of part of an exemplarycompressed gas cartridge dispenser comprising a heat expandable pressuredischarge puncturer in a second position, in accordance with anembodiment of the current invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following paragraphs will detail several modes including the bestmode of the present invention. The exemplary figures and description ofthe invention as it is exemplified in each figure is representative ofthe current invention and the scope of the invention disclosure is notintended to be limited by the exemplary teachings. One skilled in thepertinent art realizes that the embodiments to follow may reasonably becombined and/or modified without deviating from the intended spirit ofthe present invention. Like physical structure in different figuresshare the same identifying numbers.

FIG. 1A illustrates a partial cross-section view of part of an exemplarycompress gas cartridge (cgc) dispenser 100 in a first positioncomprising a non-threaded cgc functionally situated in a cgc dispenser,in accordance with the present invention. A cgc 105 situates within alance housing 106 comprising a cgc seal 115 capable of retaining thepressure contained within a cgc upon harnessing in cgc dispenser 100.Exemplified in a cgc dispenser body 110 is a floatable cartridgepiercing lance 125 featuring a rigid pierce tip 126. A piercing lanceseal 120 circumferentially situates around cartridge piercing lance 125and maintains piercing lance 125 in position. Not illustrated in thisexemplary figure is a cgc retainer commonly referred to as a cgc cup. Acgc cup maintains cgc 105 in position with cgc dispenser 100. Typicalattachment means for cgc cup to cgc dispenser is a threadable connectionand can be seen in may exemplary reference works such as in U.S. Pat.No. 6,843,388 to Hollars, filed Jul. 22, 2002.

Also contained within cgc dispenser 100 is a lance hammer 135 situatedwithin a hammer bore 136 that is an integral feature within cgcdispenser body 110. A hammer spring 140 centers around lance hammer 135and is exemplified in a compressed position in FIG. 1. A beveledretaining feature 150 coexists between the top end of lance hammer 135and a hammer retainer 145. Preferably, beveled retaining feature 150 isangled to approximately 45 degrees for both mating components.

A tensile line 155 retains hammer retainer in position with lance hammer135. Preferably, tensile line 155 is comprised of a monofilament orbraided element composition. Such exemplary line compositions can benylon monofilament or polyethylene braided. Tensile line 155 wrapsaround and/or is retained by a protrusion 160.

A flame or high heat introduced to tensile line 155 will quickly allowline failure thus allowing lance hammer 135 to travel along hammeracceleration zone 130 thus ultimately striking cgc lance 125 and drivinginto cgc 105.

A user is capable of manually lancing a cgc upon breaking tensile line155 through heat or cutting or by applying an in-line puncturing force199 (FIG. 1B) onto protrusion 160 thus shifting hammer retainer 145 suchthat lance hammer 135 is no longer retained by beveled retaining feature150. In exemplary FIG. 1, actuation hardware is not illustrated, ratherillustrated with arrows, and can be comprised of simple fulcrumbed thumblevers to solenoid actuators or any complexity device in between.

FIG. 1B illustrates dispenser 100 in a second position such thatpiercing lance 125 has punctured cgc 105. A lanced cgc releasespressurized gas, driving piercing lance away from cgc 105 (shown in FIG.1C as a third position) allowing compressed gas out through an exit port165 that fluidly connects to any device or attachment desired inconnection.

Even though a non-threaded compressed gas cartridge is exemplified inFIG. 1, a slightly different embodiment not illustrated is a cgc havinga threaded neck portion adaptable to such a dispenser. The lance housingwould be threaded in this embodiment thereby not requiring use of acartridge-retaining container.

FIG. 2 illustrates a partial cross-section view of part of an exemplarycompressed gas cartridge dispenser 200 comprising a heat expandablepressure discharge puncturer, in accordance with an embodiment of thecurrent invention. Illustrated in this embodiment is a threaded neckportion cgc 205 threaded into a threaded lance housing 206 locateddistally at a cgc dispenser body 210. A piercing lance seal 220 abutsthe puncturable face of cgc 205. A cgc lance 226 situates within a lancedriver 235 that is allowed to translate within a driver bore 236 that isan integral feature of cgc dispenser body 210. A lower lance driver seal227 and an upper lance driver seal 228 maintain lance driver 235 inplace as well as providing sealing on each end. A cgc dispenser cap 250is shown threadably attached to cgc dispenser body 210. A reservoir 245is contained by cgc dispenser cap 250 and is sealed from leaking by acap seal 240.

Certain application may benefit from a slower reacting, heat-actuablepressure release system. Intuitively, this embodiment is probably slowerto respond to a heat application than the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 1. As reservoir 245 melts from high heat, the wax expands thusdriving lance driver 235 toward cgc 205. Current technology in the waxactuation industry allows one to dope the paraffin so that it melts (andexpands) and a predictable temperature. Two common terms for this typeof actuator can be a wax motor or thermoactuator and has seen greatsuccess in appliance applications among other industries.

Also in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the waxactuator can be combined with a heat source. A temperature sensor canprovide an actuation means, either mechanical or electrical, to a switchthat can heat the paraffin quickly through battery/resistance, chemical,environmental, or other means.

An additional embodiment of the present invention combines the springbiased lance hammer mechanism similar to that exemplified in FIGS. 1A-1Cand the paraffin wax actuator exemplified in FIGS. 2, 3A-3B. Anexpanding wax reservoir can easily be designed to actuate a hammerretainer, thus releasing a lance hammer to rapidly relieve the highpressure in a cgc. Again, the paraffin can be tailored to melt, thusexpand at a predictable temperature.

Intentionally dispensed fluid heat from cgc 205 or by heat-puncturingexits dispenser 200 through an exit port 265 and fluidly connects to anydevice or attachment desired in connection.

A puncturer 297 rotated about a post 299 allows one to manually puncturelance driver 235 toward cgc 205 and puncture cgc 205 with lance 226. Oneskilled in the art could conceivable attach puncturer 297 to a host ofmanual or automated triggering devices to increase versatility ofdispenser 200.

An alternative embodiment that can be exemplified from FIG. 2 utilizes anon-threaded neck cgc and utilizes a cgc cup to hold cgc into place.

FIG. 3A illustrates a partial section view of an exemplary heatexpandable pressure discharge dispenser 300 in a first position, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Illustrated inFIGS. 3A and 3B are non-threaded cgc's 105 but threaded cgc's areequally intended to be within the scope of this embodiment. Amonolithically formed dispenser body 310 houses reservoir 245 ofparaffin wax or similar expandable substance. Abutted to wax inreservoir 245 is a slideable lance 335, sealed in driver bore 236 bylance seal 228.

Upon heating, wax in reservoir 245 expands thus displacing slideablelance 335 along driver bore 236 and punctures cgc 105 with piercing tip226.

To the extent that such modifications and variations do not depart fromthe spirit of the invention, they are intended to be included within thescope thereof which is limited only by a fair assessment of thefollowing claims.

Having fully described the present invention and alternately preferredembodiments thereof in such clear and concise terms as to enable thoseskilled in the art to understand and practice the same, the inventionclaimed is:

1. A dispenser for releasing the gas in a compressed gas cartridge whensubjected to heat or flame, comprising: a dispenser body formed toinclude a bore therein; a puncture lance moveably disposed within saidbore; a reservoir fluidly connected with a first end of said bore; aheat-expandable substance disposed within said reservoir.
 2. Thedispenser of claim 2, wherein said heat expandable substance comprises awax.
 3. The dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a manual actuationlever.
 4. The dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a compressed gascartridge comprising a threaded neck and a puncture membrane; wherein:said compressed gas cartridge is attached to said dispenser body suchthat said puncture membrane is disposed adjacent a second end of saidbore.
 5. The dispenser of claim 4, further comprising: an elastomericseal; wherein said elastomeric seal is disposed between said compressedgas cartridge puncture lance and said puncture membrane.
 6. Thedispenser of claim 1, further comprising: a compressed gas cartridgecomprising a non-threaded neck and a puncture membrane; and a retainingcontainer connected to said dispenser body and in fluid communicationwith a second end of said bore; wherein said compressed gas cartridge isdisposed within said retaining container.
 7. The dispenser of claim 6,further comprising: an elastomeric seal; wherein said elastomeric sealis disposed between said compressed gas cartridge puncture lance andsaid puncture membrane.